* From today’s press conference…
Q: The Arlington Heights Mayor recently said that they’re feeling like the bears will not wait till May 31 for a mega projects bill, or like a deal to come through that they want to get something done by the end of this month. Obviously both chambers are not in next week, like this is the last week they’re both in [this month]. So I guess one, do you feel pressure from the team to get something out by Thursday? And also, do you feel like that’s likely to happen?
Gov. Pritzker: I think we all feel like this needs to happen sooner rather than later, and it is in the hands of the legislature. As you know, we’ve done a lot of work in our administration to try to put something together that will work for both the state, the legislature and their concerns and the team itself. It is a pretty good deal that’s been put on the table that I think seems to have support broadly by the Bears ownership and so it really now is in the hands of the House of Representatives and then the Senate, to get something done in a timely fashion.
As subscribers know, Pritzker was much more nuanced about the responsibilities for passing bill during an interview with me last week. For broad public consumption, however, it’s “Legislators are now responsible.”
- Jerry - Tuesday, Mar 24, 26 @ 11:46 am:
Gov Pritzker is right! The state will help with roads and trains around the Bears new TV studio. The Bears, a for-profit, privately owned corporation pay for everything else (including the property taxes on any improvements). Good citizens pay their taxes.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Mar 24, 26 @ 12:04 pm:
Well on the good side looks like you his ought to be over one way or another in less than 70 days. Unless of course someone sues someone so this can drag on forever
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Mar 24, 26 @ 12:12 pm:
News from a neighboring state legislature…
For a second year in a row Indiana state employees will not receive pay raises in 2026.
So the state of Indiana has money for a Bears stadium in NWI but no money for state employees. Hmmm?
- Lurker - Tuesday, Mar 24, 26 @ 12:26 pm:
A lot of consternation for a company open 12 days a year. I’d much prefer working hard on keeping Walgreens, Caterpillar, StateFarm, Allstate, etc than what the bears bring to the table.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, Mar 24, 26 @ 12:26 pm:
Let em go to Indiana. It will still be closer for most people than Arlington Heights.